Punia hillfort, Archaeological site in Punia Eldership, Lithuania.
Punia hillfort rises approximately 30 meters above the confluence of the Nemunas and Punelė rivers, commanding views across dense forests and waterways in all directions. The earthen mound contains traces of medieval fortifications and structural remains from multiple periods of occupation.
The fortification was established in the late 14th century as a stronghold for the ruling family and later destroyed by military conflict. A new castle was subsequently rebuilt on the same location, serving as a regional power center for several centuries afterward.
The site represents a center of princely power in medieval Lithuania, where the ruling elite maintained a residence and exerted control over the surrounding river valleys. Locals and travelers would have recognized it as a seat of authority and spiritual importance.
The site is accessible via a marked trail that departs westward from the local church and guides visitors up the mound. The Nečiuika spring at the foot of the hill serves as a useful reference point for orientation when arriving.
Excavations have uncovered two distinct castle structures built one after the other on the same mound, with the earlier dating to the 13th century and a later one constructed in the 15th century. This layering of structures reveals how the site evolved and was repeatedly rebuilt to meet changing needs.
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